Saturday, 12/10 - NW

[jyoder111]

Advance forecast looks promising, if a bit cool. Anyone interested? Come on, you got long underwear, right?

Jesse

[sailin]

Jessee count me in. Looks like it is between Woodstock and Pulpit. Lets coordinate Fri night via this thread and figure out which one looks better. I throw the glider on the car and bring it with me to work tomorrow.

Jon

[Danny Brotto]

High Rock is in between Woodstock and Pulpit. Anyone remember High Rock?

Danny Brotto

[sailin]

Absolutely...love to fly High Rock...will you be there???? So far only two.....maybe three people, posting on this thread. Difficult without wire crew.

Jon

[Ward Odenwald]

I'm in for Woodstock. As of now, conditions suggest that the cold/dense air ridge-lift will allow us to soar down to Harrisonburg and possibly back. Ward

[dbodner]

I think HR is looking good.

[markc]

Add me to the waitin'-n-watchin' list. Looks like it should be good _somewhere_ , though chilly. Hopefully we'll have a better read on conditions by Friday night....

MarkC

[garys]

I'm in whereever. Not sure the road to WS is open. Top of the ridge got a good dusting of snow two nights ago. Probably some ice on the front side too. Gary

[mcgowantk]

I am in. Looks light for Woodstock but that could change.

[Ward Odenwald]

Here’s my pitch for Woodstock or the Pulpit: The underground “wunder map” is currently showing 48 degrees at 1PM in Woodstock so I don’t think snow or ice will be a mid-day issue tomorrow. NoStepper is indicating NW 13-14 knots at 1,700 ft during mid-day at Woodstock and at the Pulpit and HR the winds aloft are predicted to be higher by just 1 or 2 knots. Surface temps for both the Pulpit and HR are predicted to be in the low 30s while at Woodstock they may climb to the low 40s. Right now, it looks like we will have ridge soaring conditions at all three sites tomorrow but the predicted wind speed at the HR launch suggests that a wire crew of 2 or 3 will be required for safe takeoffs while a crew of 1 maybe all that is required at Woodstock or the Pulpit. So I believe it's a tossup between Woodstock and the Pulpit with the higher temp at Woodstock tipping the balance. I’m going where the flock decides to go so what’s your preference?

[jyoder111]

Anyone know about the Woodstock Tower Road? I'm not seeing 48 degrees, Ward, but I'm in favor of Woodstock too. Will follow the group....

Jesse

[carweill]

Finally, NW wind on the weekend.

Carlos

[mercury]

Any observers going? If not I'm going to drive to eagle rock where I got invited to fly thanks Matt young

[jyoder111]

Ward is an observer, but contact him directly...

[sailin]

i'm in for Woodstock. ETA 11ish

Carlos, If it is not too much trouble can you please bring whatever Pulse parts you have tomorrow. Thanks man!

Jon

[Matthew]

I'm down in dreaded Florida and it's quite obviously a High Rock day!!!!!!

Matthew

[mcgowantk]

I am going too and can observe hang gliding pilots. However, please email me directly if you might want me to observe.

Tom McGowan

[Ward Odenwald]

ETA @ Woodstock -> 10 AM

[jyoder111]

Woodstock- ETA 11am.

Jesse

[markc]

It might be a bit early to declare Woodstock or High Rock, given that the front that's passing through doesn't seem to have a lot of oomph behind it....

From what I'm seeing at the moment, winds aloft at 3k are looking _relatively_ strong, but OTOH the surface 'casts at Woodstock are only NW@5-10. The classic Stocker forecast (surface) is usually NW@15-20, with the expectation that the Woodstock Effect will knock that down quite a bit. And yes, I do realize that launch is at 2k

I'm willing to give it a try of course, and oftentimes "day-of" frontal passages work out in Woodstock's favor. Merely pointing out that you might want to see what the winds are like behind the front, tomorrow AM, before committing to one site vs. the other.

Hoping for a really good soaring day!!!!!

MarkC

[mcelrah]

FYI the sailplane dudes at Front Royal are beatin' the drums for ridge and wave. Watch out for white fiberglass comin' right at ya!

Mid-80s in the Philippines - El Nino is causing the rainy season to persist into December. Been flying powered ultralights more than paragliding. Got a volunteer to help me assemble the Falcon III from shortpack when it arrives ~ Christmas Eve (thank you, Santa!).

Ho ho ho - Hugh

[Dan T]

I know a bunch of PGers are planning on coming to Woodstock, but the possible high winds has me holding off until we get a morning update from one of you weather gurus.

Dan T

[mcgowantk]

I am going to try Woodstock. 703-501-9532

Tom McGowan

[markc]

The NWS surface cast now includes "gusts to 20", and there are what look like some wave clouds on the satellite, and the front hasn't actually pushed through yet. All of that adds up to Woodstock for me, hitting the road right now.

MarkC

[carweill]

Heading out (Woodstock)

(Jon got the Pulse parts)

Carlos